The Sega CD, despite its current mixed reputation, was a significant piece of gaming hardware, boasting impressive capabilities and a library of memorable games. Often overshadowed by Full Motion Video (FMV) game critiques and the later Sega 32X misstep, its true potential is sometimes overlooked. Pioneer, however, recognized this potential and developed the Sega PAC for their innovative LaserActive system, effectively bringing the full Sega CD experience to this unique console. But how well did this combination actually work?
Sega CD Meets LaserActive: A Hardware Mashup
Let’s recap the basics. The Sega CD, known as the Mega CD outside of North America where the Sega Genesis was called the Mega Drive, was an enhancement module for the 16-bit console. It introduced a CD-ROM drive and expanded the RAM to 768KB. Furthermore, it featured a faster Motorola 68000 CPU and a custom ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) chip, famously just called “the ASIC,” which enabled scaling and rotation effects. Unlike the TurboGrafx-16’s CD add-on, the Sega CD brought substantial new technical features to the Genesis/Mega Drive platform.
For clarity, and perhaps due to habit, this article will primarily use “Genesis” and “Sega CD” nomenclature. Metric measurements might also be avoided, in true American fashion.
The Pioneer Laseractive, on the other hand, was Pioneer’s ambitious attempt to fuse Laserdisc technology with video gaming. Recognizing the regional popularity of CD-based consoles—the PC Engine CD in Japan and the Sega/Mega CD in other markets—Pioneer aimed to cater to both audiences. This vision culminated in the Sega PAC, or specifically, the Japanese PAC S-1, which is the focus here. While the US Genesis PAC exists, the Japanese version was more readily accessible and cost-effective. The LaserActive, in general, positions itself as a potentially budget-friendly option for retro gamers, surprisingly.
This particular PAC S-1 unit isn’t pristine; the LaserActive logo on the top left is missing. Perhaps future endeavors in 3D printing could rectify this with a custom replacement, ideally using a high-resolution printer or resin to capture the fine details. A Japanese sticker is also present, albeit worn, instructing users to insert cartridges facing downwards.
Indeed, cartridges are inserted facing downwards. This design choice might stem from space constraints within the PAC’s enclosure. Despite being larger than a Sega CDX, the PAC might have prioritized internal component arrangement. Alternatively, showcasing the cartridge end labels might have been a deliberate aesthetic decision. (The Sega CDX, while slightly taller, owes its height to the integrated CD-ROM drive.)
Crucially, the LaserActive, being rooted in LaserDisc technology, is limited to composite video output. RGB output is absent. Even the composite output quality is arguably subpar compared to dedicated Genesis consoles. This composite limitation also means that the Sega 32X add-on is incompatible, as it requires an RGB signal from the Genesis.
Powering Up the Sega PAC
The Sega PAC boot screen appears remarkably similar to its PC Engine counterpart, albeit with a slightly paler yellow hue. Logo variations are also present, which is expected given the different console affiliations.
Unlike most Sega CD boot screens which feature background music, the LaserActive’s iteration is silent, which is somewhat disappointing. It does incorporate a scaling effect with the LaserActive logo zooming in, followed by a logo spin upon startup. However, this visual flourish pales in comparison to more elaborate BIOS animations, such as the Model 2 BIOS (video courtesy of YouTube user “Alex Lee”).
The BIOS interface overall mirrors the PC Engine PAC. For instance, the CD player interface is represented by a simple yellow box on a blue backdrop, a stark contrast to the more visually refined CD player interface found on standard Sega CD systems. CD+G functionality remains untested due to a lack of compatible discs, and the BIOS version appears to be 1.05, with no known variants encountered thus far.
Game Compatibility: Genesis Cartridges
The PAC S-1 functions as a Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive), fully capable of playing games designed for that console. The cartridge slot on the front serves this exact purpose.
Intriguingly, the system seems to incorporate TMSS (TradeMark Security System), a feature found in later Sega consoles. Despite this, Phantasy Star 2, a Japanese release reportedly lacking TMSS, runs without issue. Subsequent testing on a Mega Drive 2 confirmed its compatibility there as well. As Phantasy Star 2 is the only game readily available that is documented to lack TMSS, definitive confirmation of TMSS enforcement on the LaserActive remains inconclusive; the displayed message might be a universal boot screen element.
Trademark-based security systems like TMSS were deemed legally ineffective in the US in 1992 following the Sega v. Accolade ruling. However, Sega continued to include TMSS in consoles, including those destined for the US market, as trademark law remained enforceable in Asian territories. The prevailing understanding is that trademark law offered a more straightforward legal avenue than copyright law in regions like Taiwan at the time. However, this is a simplified explanation and legal intricacies are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Master System Backwards Compatibility
The Sega Genesis was designed to be backward compatible with the older Sega Master System via a cartridge converter. However, some later Genesis models, like the Genesis 3, removed this feature, although it can be reinstated through hardware modifications. Does the LaserActive necessitate such modifications for Master System compatibility? Let’s test this using a Power Base Converter.
The standard Power Base Converter is physically incompatible with the LaserActive’s cartridge slot. However, modern, streamlined replacements for the Power Base Converter exist, designed to fit directly into cartridge slots. The bulk of the original Power Base Converter was largely for aesthetic design rather than functional necessity. Utilizing a cartridge-style converter, can Master System games be played on the LaserActive, albeit with cartridges protruding horizontally?
Yes, Master System compatibility is achievable without issue using a modern converter like the “PowerBase Mini FM” by db Electronics. This particular converter also incorporates a YM2413 chip, enabling FM audio playback for Master System games that supported it—a feature absent from US Master System consoles (Japanese Master Systems and Mark III consoles with an FM add-on could play FM audio). However, whether the LaserActive is the ideal platform for appreciating enhanced game music is a matter of audio fidelity, which warrants further investigation.
Audio Output Quality Analysis
Audio quality is a frequently debated topic among Sega Mega Drive enthusiasts, particularly concerning the various hardware revisions released over its lifespan. Generally, earlier Mega Drive models are considered to offer superior audio output.
Direct comparison with an early Mega Drive is not possible here. However, a Sega CDX, often regarded as one of the best-sounding Genesis consoles, serves as a comparative benchmark. Personal nostalgia aside, the CDX generally delivers clean audio output without the excessive distortion found in many Model 2 Genesis systems.
Audio recordings were captured from the first few seconds of Emerald Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, played on the Sega CDX, a Mega Drive 2, and the LaserActive. The same cartridge, recording level, and USB audio interface were used for all recordings. Non-LaserActive systems also utilized the same power supply and AV cables to ensure consistent testing conditions.
First, the Sega CDX recording serves as the baseline for comparison. (Headphone users are advised to exercise caution due to potentially high audio levels).
Next, the Sega Mega Drive 2 audio is presented. This model is often cited as an example of “inferior” Genesis audio, and the recording arguably substantiates this claim, exhibiting audible clipping distortion and background noise. (However, this audio profile can be subjectively appealing in certain contexts, such as horror games like Splatterhouse 2.) The Mega Drive 2 recording is also the loudest of the three.
Finally, the LaserActive audio recording is presented. Listen before proceeding with the analysis.
Subjectively, the LaserActive audio closely resembles the Mega Drive 2’s output, characterized by similar distortion but at a lower overall volume. Waveform analysis visually confirms this observation (LaserActive waveform on top, Mega Drive 2 waveform on bottom).
While not an audio expert, the waveform comparison suggests that the LaserActive’s audio processing might involve a reduction in output volume during mixing, but the clipping artifacts appear to be introduced prior to this volume adjustment. This audio performance is somewhat underwhelming.
It is important to acknowledge a potential caveat: the Sega PAC in this analysis is believed to have its original capacitors. (As a matter of practice, capacitor replacement is avoided on functional systems due to soldering-related risks). LaserActives and their PACs are known to utilize early 1990s surface-mount capacitors, which are susceptible to leakage and degradation over time.
Capacitor degradation could potentially be contributing to the LaserActive’s less-than-ideal audio output. However, the similarity to the Mega Drive 2’s audio profile suggests that the core audio characteristics might be inherent to the PAC’s design, rather than solely attributable to capacitor issues. The lower audio volume, however, could plausibly be related to capacitor degradation. Definitive conclusions would require direct audio signal tapping from the PAC itself, a modification not pursued in this analysis.
Sega CD Functionality
The Sega PAC’s capabilities extend beyond Genesis cartridge playback; it also functions as a Sega CD unit.
Region locking is a factor. Like standalone Sega CD consoles, the Sega PAC enforces regional compatibility. This Japanese PAC S-1 unit is therefore limited to playing Japanese region Mega CD games.
The Japanese Mega CD boot screen is less visually dynamic than its US counterpart, lacking the Sonic the Hedgehog animation. The “Sega Enterprises” branding, often assumed to be a translation of “Kabushiki Kaisha Sega” (Japanese for corporation), apparently originates from Sega’s merger with Rosen Enterprises in the 1960s, an interesting historical tidbit.
Mega CD games function correctly on the LaserActive via the Sega PAC.
Mega LD Game Library
The Mega LD format on the LaserActive boasts a more extensive game library compared to its PC Engine counterpart, with 24 titles versus 11. It even features LaserDisc game ports, including Road Blaster (rebranded as Road Prosecutor) and Time Gal, the latter commanding exceptionally high prices, perhaps reflecting perceived rarity or collector demand.
Pyramid Patrol, seemingly the most commonly encountered Mega LD game, is used for testing. It may have been bundled with the Sega PAC. Unlike Vajra Ni, Pyramid Patrol is a single-sided LaserDisc. The reverse side displays a standard message prompting disc flipping.
Noticeable static is present in the black areas of the video frame, though it may not be readily apparent in a still image. Laser rot is a potential concern for LaserDiscs of this era.
Notably, Pyramid Patrol is a US release. Unlike Mega CD games, Pioneer opted not to implement region protection for Mega LD titles. Given the niche market for LaserActive software, region-locking may have been deemed unnecessary. This lack of region protection is beneficial for collectors and players.
Pyramid Patrol is a crosshair shooter. This genre arguably aligns better with the Mega LD’s capabilities than on the PC Engine, as it leverages the Sega CD’s ASIC for scaling enemy sprites as they approach the screen. Initial impressions suggest Pyramid Patrol is a more engaging experience than Vajra Ni.
LaserDisc Video Playback
As hinted at by the Pyramid Patrol screenshots, Mega LD games, like their PC Engine counterparts, operate at a 240p resolution. The characteristic interlacing artifacts are visible, indicating the capture device’s attempt to interpret the 240p signal as 480i. Upscaling quality is limited.
Similar to the PC Engine PAC, the Sega PAC incorporates controller-activated menus for LaserDisc playback control. The yellow color palette is again slightly different, reflecting the Genesis’s known color limitations compared to the PC Engine. The menu options also appear to be fewer, although additional options might be accessible via other controller buttons.
Conclusion: A Retro Gaming Curiosity
The Pioneer LaserActive, equipped with the Sega PAC, is a fascinating, albeit niche, piece of retro gaming history. Beyond the Sega PAC, two additional PACs existed: a karaoke PAC and a PC control PAC. The PC control PAC, while lacking dedicated commercial software, reportedly included a demo program utilizing Tenchi Muyo! LaserDiscs.
The NEC PC-FX console, successor to the PC Engine, shares conceptual similarities with the LaserActive. However, the PC-FX employed MJPEG-encoded digital video on CD-ROMs. Like the LaserActive, it was a costly system with a limited game library, although the PC-FX focused primarily on anime-themed content.
Future explorations may include acquiring Road Prosecutor, Triad Stone, and potentially Time Gal, as quick-time event FMV games seem particularly well-suited to the LaserActive’s unique hardware capabilities. However, the LaserActive and its Sega PAC remain primarily historical footnotes, a reminder of a time when FMV games were briefly perceived as the future of interactive entertainment.
